Interchangeable motor mounting



Sept. 15, 1959 B. L. ERTSGAARD ETAL 2,904,287

INTERCHANGEABLE MOTOR MOUNTING Fired Oct. 4. 1954 Unite States Patent Ofice y 2,904,287 Patented' Sept. 15, 1959H 2,904,287 INTERCHANGEABLE MOTOR. MOUNTING Byron. L. Ertsgaard` andl Stanley V. Sonmore, Minneapolis, Minn., assignors to. Toro Manufacturingy Corporationy of 'Minnes0ta-, Minneapolis, Minn., av corporation of Minnesota Application October 4', 1954, Serial N o. 459,922 6 Claims.V (Cl'. 24S- 25) This; invention relates. to: power-driven machines. More particularly, it relates toy machinesadapted tobe driven by amotor through.` belt connections.

In recent' years. it has become fairlycommon. for the homey owner.A to own: a number of power-drivensmaller machines suchvv as a lawn mower, a snow plowor snow remover,` a sprayer, a leaf mulcher or the liltethrol1gl1I the use of which heV maintains the neat appearance of his premises. A. very-substantial'. portion. ofthe cost of ea`ch= of sucht machines,I is the cost of the motor which is. pro videdv as a source of driving power or prime mover. Ac-

cordingly, if at all possible, itis highly desirable to provide means; whereby aY single motor might be made readily interchangeable so that it couldf be quickly andl easily removed from; onesuch machine and attached to another in.y driving relation to thereby eliminate the need.- for all! buttv a single motor; Our invention isdesigned'to provide means whereby this.y goal may be accomplished;

In addition, some such machines have their power-receiving connections necessarily disposed an elevationsv substantially below the uppermost portions of the ma chine. This makes it extremely dii'hcult to connect andA detach a motor relative to; Such a machine because the b elt mustbestretched substantially inforden to get' it intov encircling position relative toy the power-receiving pulleyf of the, machine and 4 the; power transmitting or drive pulley.

of the motor. a-` connection;

It is a general objectr of our inventionyto; provide; at

Our` inventiont is designed' to y facilitate. such= novel and improved mounting for an; interchangeable.

motor to. facilitate ready attachment and detachmenty of the'motor toa power-driventype-of machinethe mount-A ing being both simple and inexpensive-in.construction and' operation.

A more speciiic object is to'. provide a novel and iml proved means. for readily attaching and detaching asingle motor| to a-.numberof different machines through the. use of a single andv inexpensive cooperating member mounted' upon each of; such maohinesand a cooperating engaging member carried by the motor which permits connection' and easy dispositionv and. connection: ofthe motor and any one of the machines in power-transmitL ting-receiving relation.

Another object is` to provide a` novel' and improved'v mounting for an interchangeable motor constructed.toer-V fectively connectl such` a. motor to any. one of. a number of power-driven machines. withA a. minimum of effort, timeandinconvenience andto, at the'same time,.facilitate thev accomplishing ofthe power-transmitting4 connectiom These and other objects andl advantages of ourI inven tion. will more: fully appear from the following descripf tion made in connection withtthe accompanying drawingswhereiny like reference charactersr refer tothe. same or similar parts throughoutr the,` several views, andtingwhichf:

Fig. l; is a. side elevational view of a reel-type lawn. mower. witha motor connected' thereto through the use.` of-oneernbodimentzof ourinvention;A f

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of l 2 our'v invention Without the motor thereto;

Fig. 3 isV a rear elevational, view of the same;

.Y Fig; 4` is a top plan View of the lower of the twoy plates which compii'ses our invention, as showngand Fig. 5 is a top plan view ofthe upper of the two plates which embody our invention.

As shownin Figs. 1 5, one embodiment of our invention may include a pair of plate members indicated generally by the letters A and B; The plate member A is a ilat plate with an open. central portion indicated by the numeral 6. This plate member A, as best shown in Fi'g;f 4 has a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 7 byl means of which the plate member may be fixed by bolts` (not shown) to the frame 8 of the lawn mower indicated generallyy as M. It will be noted, as shown in Fig. 1;, that the plate member A in use is superimposed upon the frame 8'. of the mower M and is fixedly secured theretoY in anyI conventional manner through the use of theI bolts hereinbefore mentioned; the bolts extending upwardly from Vthe frame 8 and through the slots 7.

shown in- Fig. 4, the plate member A has a forward endportion `9 and a rearward' end portion 10. Extending forwardly from`v the forwardendportion 9` at the opposite forward corners thereof is a4 pair of channel members 11 andn lf2. These channel` members 11Y and 12 extend transversely to the plate member A and the channel of each f-aees rearwardly, as best shown-in-Fig. 2. Each of they channel members 11 and- 12.' has a rearwardly extending overhanging lip- 11a and 12a; Mounted upon the plate andE extending upwardly fromv the left hand s'ide thereof as viewed fromy the rear, is a pair of upwardly extendingI pivotshoulders` 123V and' 14. The pivot shoulder 13 is connected tothe channel member 11 and extends rearwardly therefrom along the side of. the plate The pivotishoulder 14-is positioned' adjacent the rear end portion of the plate member andf extends upwardly therefrom, as best shownin Fig. 2'. Extending upwardly from.fthe.opposite sideof the channel member 11l is an upstanding wall: member which; together with the1 pivot shoulder 13 forms an: open type ofV enclosure indicated as 16. The channel member has an'upstanding wall member 17? and 18I at each of its ends to also form an open-l type of enclosure indicatedas 19;

Mounted' upon the rear endl portion 10 of the plate rnemberrAA is` anups-tandingset screw type clampingy mechanism: indicated, generally as C. This clamping mechani'sm C: is comprised of. an. internally threaded sleeve member 20 which is supported' by supportstructure 21' in. elevated'y relation to the plate member A and s directed downwardly and forwardly, as best shown in- Fig. 2. Mountedf withinl the sleeve member 20 is an externally or the mower attached threaded pin 222 which threadedly engages the sleeve 20- fronLthe forward: end portion 27 ofthe plate member B.v

There'arward end portion 28 of the plate member has a recess 29 formed therein directly ahead of. the pin 22 whenthe, plate B- is superimposed upon the plate A with the;`ears.25: and 26 aligned withthechannel members 11V andl'Z. These ears 25- and:26are adaptedto fit into the channelsof. thesechannel members 11; and 12 whenthe plate; B is slid'` forwardly relative to the plate Aandalong the pivot shoulders lrand 14. As best. shown in Fig. 2,

4As best shown in.- Fig, 5, the platemember B al'soihas has a pair of -upwardly and rearwardly extending handle theyv readilyv slide beneath the overhanging lips 11av and.

support ears 30 and 31. A plurality of openings 32 e formed in the plate member adapt that member to be fixedly connected to the underside of the motor or engine E by bolts 33 so that the plate member B supports the engine E. An upstanding pivot bracket 34 is carried by the side portions of the plate B and serves to carry a clutch control member 35 for the clutch of the engine E.

When the two plate members A and B are connected, the drive wheel 36 of the engine E is positioned properly to drive the power transmitting pulley 37 of the lawn mower M by means of a V-belt 38.

In use a plate member A is tixedly secured to each of the various power-driven machines in superimposed relation similarly to the manner shown in Fig. 1 and by means of bolts which extend upwardly through the slots 7. Each of the machines is provided with such a plate. The single motor or engine'E which is to be used in conjunction with these machines is mounted upon the plate B by means of bolts which extend through the openings 32 so that the plate B will support the motor or engine E. To secure the motor E to the machine the motor is lifted by the handle 39 and the lefthand side edge of the plate B, as viewed from the rear, is brought to bear against the pivot shoulders 13 and 14 while the plate B is superimposed upon the plate A. By pulling to the left, as viewed from the rear, on the carrying handle 39, the entire engine is tilted to the left so that the drive pulley 36 will be disposed at a lower elevation than it will be after the connection has been consummated. The belt 38 is then placed in encircling relation to the pulley 36 and a powertransmitting pulley 37 and the motor E is then permitted to tilt back to horizontal position so that the plate B will rest squarely upon the plate A. The plate B is then slid forwardly so that the ears 2S and 26 slide into the channel members 11 and 12 of plate A and beneath the overhanging lips 11a, 12a of those channel members. The knob 23 is then turned so as to cause the pin 22 to move downwardly and forwardly and engage the plate B in the recess 29 provided for that purpose. By tightening the knob 23 the pin 22 will force the plate B forwardly and downwardly into close registering relation with the plate A. The downward and forward pressure upon the plate A causes the ears 2S and 26 to remain under the overhanging lips 11a, 12a and thus in cooperation with the pin- 22 cause the plates A and B to be iiXedly but readily removably secured to each other.

To remove the engine E from such a machine and to apply it to another machine having a similar plate A, the user merely loosens the knob 23 several turns and then draws the plate B rearwardly by gripping the carrying handle 39 and pulling rearwardly thereon. The plates A and B thereupon immediately are separated and the plate B with its attached motor E can be transferred to a second and different machine. In this manner it is possible for one motor E to serve as the prime mover for a substantial number of diierent machines and the cost of a motor such as the motor E is saved for each machine except one. Thus a very substantial saving is effected and less storage space is required for the same machines.

In addition to the saving in cost on the capital outlay required ordinarily for a motor for each such machine, our invention has other advantages. lt will be noted that through the use of our mounting for interchangeable motors, the motor can be moved quickly and with a minimum of inconvenience and at a substantial saving in time and expense. y

The manufacturing cost of our mounting is relatively small since it may be formed of relatively inexpensive metal such as aluminum and is very simple to construct and operate. Thus it can be seen that we have provided a novel mounting which makes it possible for the avermay be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportion of the various parts without departing from the scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A mounting for an interchangeable motor to facilitate ready attachment and detachment of the motor to a power driven type of machine, said mounting comprising a rigid plate member adapted to be xedly connected to such a machine in horizontal superimposed relation and having forward and rearward end portions and sides extending therebetween, a pair of laterally spaced transversely extending channel members mounted upon the forrward end portion of said plate member, the channels of said channel members facing rearwardly and each of said channel members having a rearwardly extending overhanging lip, an upstanding pivot shoulder connected to one side of said plate member and extending upwardly thereabove adjacent to and rearwardly of one of said channel members, an upstanding member mounted on said plate member and extending rearwardly from a point adjacent said channel member and being spaced laterally of said pivot shoulder. and forming an enclosure therewith in cooperation with said channel member, a second plate member having forward and rearward end portions and being adapted to be xedly connected to the underside of such a motor in motor-supporting relation and being positioned upon said rst mentioned plate member in superimposed relation and laterally of said pivot shoulder and in abutting relation thereto, a pair of transversely spaced channel-engaging ears carried by the forward end portions of said second plate member and extending forwardly therefrom, said ears being slidable forwardly into channel-engaging relation within said channel members when said plates are so positioned, and clamping means secured tothe rear end portion of said first mentioned plate member adapted to positively engage said second mentioned plate member and secure the same and said ears in such relation to said channel members and said pivot shoulder to thereby securely fasten the motor to the machine.

2. A mounting for an interchangeable motor to facilitate ready attachment and detachment of the motor to a power-driven type of machine, said mounting comprising a rigid plate member adapted to be tixedly connected to such a machine in horizontal superimposed relation and having a forward and a vrearward end portion and sides extending therebetween, a pair of laterally spaced transversely extending channel members mounted upon the forward end portion of said plate member, the channels of said channel members facing rearwardly and each having a rearwardly extending overhanging lip, an upstanding pivot shoulder mounted on one side of said plate member and extending upwardly thereabove ad- 2 yjacent to and rearwardly of one of said channel members, an upstanding member mounted on said plate member and extending rearwardly from a point adjacent said channel member and being spaced laterally of said pivot shoulder and forming an enclosure therewith in cooperai vtion with said channel member, a second plate member age home owner to gain the advantage of having a num-4 ber of power-driven home maintenance machines While fr .and urging the same downwardly adapted to be lixedly connected to the underside lof such a motor in motor-supporting relation and being positioned upon said rst mentioned plate in superimposed relation and laterally of said pivot shoulder and in abutting relation thereto, said second plate member having a forward and a rearward end portion, a pair of transversely spaced channel-engaging ears carried by the forward end portions of said second plate member and extending forwardly therefrom, said ears being slidable forwardly into channel-engaging relation within said channel members when said plates are so positioned, and downwardly and forwardly directed clamping means secured to the rear end portion of said rst mentioned plate member and positively. engaging said second mentioned plate member and forwardly and urging said ears into said channel members in channel-eniglgllg relation; to. thereby securely fastenl the motor to the machine. f

3.. A mounting for an interchangeable motor to facilitate ready attachment and detachment of the motor to a power-driven type of-machine, s aid mounting comprising` a rigid plate member adapted to be fixedly connected to such a machine in horizontal superimposed relation, and having a forward and a rearward end portion, and. sides extending therebetween, a pair of laterally spaced transversely extending channel'members ,mounted upon the forward portions of saidY plate member, the channels of said channel members facing rearwardlyand each of said channel members having aA rearwardly extending overhanging lip, av pair of upstanding p iyot `shoulderpmembers mounted on one side of said plate member and extending upwardly thereabove, one of said pivot'. shoulder members being connected to one end ofon'e of said channel members and extending rearwardly therefrom, an upstanding wall member mounted on said plate member and extending rearwardly from said channel member and being spaced inwardly of said pivot shoulder and extending generally parallel thereto and forming an enclosure with said pivot shoulder and its connected channel member, a second plate member adapted' to be fixedly connected to the underside o-f such a motor in motor-supporting relation and being positioned upon said first mentioned plate member in superimposed relation and laterally of said pivot shoulders and in abutting relation thereto, said second plate member having forward and rearward end portions, a pair of transversely spaced channel-engaging ears carried by the forward end portions of said second plate member and extending forwardly therefrom, said ears being slidable fonwardly into channel-engaging relation with said channel members when said plates are so positioned, one of said ears being receivable within said enclosure to facilitate positioning of said second plate member relative to said first plate member to facilitate connection therebetween and downwardly and forwardly directed clamping means secured to the rear end portion of said first mentioned plate adapted to positively engage said second mentioned plate member and urge it forwardly and downwardly and thereby secure the same and said ears in such relation to said channel members and to said pivot shoulders to effectively securely fasten the motor t0 the machine.

4. A mounting for an interchangeable motor to facilitate ready attachment and detachment of the motor to a power-driven type of machine, said mounting comprising a rigid plate member adapted to be fixedly connected to such a machine in horizontal superimposed relation and having forward and rearward end portions and sides extending therebetween, a pair of laterally spaced transversely extending channel members mounted upon the forward end portion of said plate member, the channels of said channel members facing rearwardly and each of said channel members having a rearwardly extending overhanging lip, an upstanding pivot shoulder mounted on one side of said plate member and extending upwardly thereabove adjacent to and reanwardly from one of said channel members, an upstanding member mounted on said plate member and extending rearwardly from a point adjacent said channel member and being spaced laterally of said pivot shoulder and forming an enclosure therewith in cooperation with said channel member, a second plate member adapted to be fixedly connected to the underside of such a motor in motor-supporting relation and being positioned upon said first mentioned plate member in superimposed relation and laterally of said pivot shoulder and in abutting relation thereto, said second plate member having forward and rearward end portions, a pair of transversely spaced channel-engaging ears carried by the forward end portion of said second plate member and extending forwardly therefrom, said ears being slidable forwardly into channel-engaging relation within said channel members when said plates are so positioned, an

internally threaded sleeve member" mounted on the rear endA portion of saidA first mentioned plate in elevated' rela` t-ion thereto andbeing directed; downwardly and' forwardlyI relative to said first mentioned plate member,f and an externallyl threaded securingV pin extend-ing' through said sleeve mem-ber and threadedly engaging the same, said pin having a, lower end portion engaging said second mentioned platemember and' holding the same and said ears in such relation to saidz channel members and to said' pivot shoulder to thereby securely fasten the motor: to the machine.

5. A mounting for an interchangeable motor to facilitate ready attachment and detachment of the motor to a power-driven type of machine, said mounting comprising a rigid plate member adapted to be xedly connected to such a machine in horizontal superimposed relation and having forward and rearward end portions and sides extending therebetween, at least one elongated channel member mounted upon the forward end portion of said plate member and extending upwardly therefrom and transversely thereof, the channel of said channel member facing rearwardly, said channel member having a rearwardly extending overhanging lip at its upper portion, an upstanding pivot shoulder mounted on one side of said plate member and extending upwardly thereabove immediately adjacent said channel member, an upstanding wal-l member mounted on said plate member adjacent said pivot shoulder and spaced laterally thereof and extending rearwardly from said channel member and forming an enclosure with said pivot shoulder and said channel member, a second plate member adapted to be fixedly connected to the underside of such a motor in motorsupporting relation and being positioned upon said first mentioned plate member in superimposed relation and laterally of said pivot shoulder and in abutting relation thereto, said second mentioned plate member having forward and rearward end portions, `at least one transversely extending channel-engaging ear carried by the forward end portion of said second plate member and extending forwardly therefrom, said ear being slidable forwardly into channel-engaging relation with said channel member when said plates are so positioned, and downwardly and forwardly directed clamping means secured to the rear end portion of said first mentioned plate member adapted to positively engage the rear end portion of said second mentioned plate member and to secure the same and its ear in such relation to said channel member and said pivot shoulder to thereby securely fasten the motor to the machine.

6. The combination of a ground-traversing machine adapted to be power-driven, a rigid plate member ixedly connected to said machine in horizontal superimposed relation, said plate member having forward and rearward end portions and sides extending therebetween, transversely extending channel means mounted upon the forward end poition of said plate member, the channel of said -channel means facing rearwardly, said channel means having a rearwardly extending overhanging lip, an upstanding pivot shoulder mounted on one side of said member and extending upwardly therefrom adjacent said channel means and extending rearwardly along the side of said plate member, an upstanding member mounted on said plate member adjacent said pivot shoulder in laterally spaced relation thereto and extending rearwardly from said channel means to form an enclosure with said pivot shoulder and said channel means adjacent one corner of said plate member, a second plate member positioned upon said first mentioned plate member in superimposed relation and laterally of said pivot shoulder and in abutting relation thereto, a motor fixedly mounted on said second plate member in superimposed relation and connectable in driving relation to said machine, said second plate member having forward and rearward end portions, transversely extending channel-engaging elements carried by the forward end portions of said second plate member and extending forwardly therefrom, said elements extending forwardly rwithin said channel means in channel-engaging relation and being secured by said channel means to said first mentioned plate member, downwardly and forwardly directed readily releasable clamping means secured to the rear end portion of said flrst mentioned plate member and engaging the rear end portion of said second mentioned plate member, said readily releasable clamping means urging said channel engaging elements forwardly into said channel means and maintaining said second mentioned plate member in abutting relation to said pivot shoulder to thereby xedly but removably secure said motor to said machine.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

